WINTER 2026
Explore the amazing things happening in our schools! Inside, read stories of achievement, innovation, and impact from our schools! #EudoraProud
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Table of Contents
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Staff Directory
Made with Care: Mealtime at the ELC
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Directory of Schools
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Learning Beyond the Classroom
20 Years Later, Still Dreaming Big
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Finding Your Place Through Clubs at EMS
INSPIRE TODAY. CHANGE TOMORROW. Your impact goes far beyond the classroom.
+ Deepen your skills. + Expand your opportunities. + Earn a Master of Arts in Education.
stmary.edu/teach
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Cardinal Relations at EHS: Telling the Stories of Eudora Schools
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Excellence in Eudora
Staff Directory DR. STU MOECKEL Superintendent of Schools stumoeckel@eudoraschools.org
ALBANIA ANDRADE Communication and Engagement Specialist, albaniaandrade@eudoraschools.org
DR. STU BILLMOECKEL DEWITT DR. Head Principal, Eudora High School Superintendent of Schools billdewitt@eudoraschools.org stumoeckel@eudoraschools.org
ALBANIA ANDRADE MACHAELA BESHEARS Communication and Engagement Specialist, Transportation Director albaniaandrade@eudoraschools.org machaelabeshears@eudoraschools.org
CARA KIMBERLIN DR. BILL DEWITT Assistant Principal and Activities Director, Head Principal, Eudora High School Eudora High School billdewitt@eudoraschools.org carakimberlin@eudoraschools.org
MACHAELA BESHEARS BETSY CRABILL Transportation Director Finance Director machaelabeshears@eudoraschools.org betsycrabill@eudoraschools.org
CARA KIMBERLIN SEAN HAYDEN Assistant Principal and Activities Director, Assistant Principal, Eudora High SchoolEudora High School seanhayden@eudoraschools.org carakimberlin@eudoraschools.org
BETSY CRABILL HEATHER HUNDLEY Finance DirectorDirector of School Improvement Services betsycrabill@eudoraschools.org heatherhundley@eudoraschools.org
Staff Directory
JESSICA JOHNSON SEAN HAYDEN Director of CardinalEudora Academy/Assistant Assistant Principal, High School Principal seanhayden@eudoraschools.org jessicajohnson@eudoraschools.org
HEATHER HUNDLEY SHANDA HURLA Director of School Improvement Services Eudora Schools Foundation Executive Director heatherhundley@eudoraschools.org shandahurla@eudoraschools.org
JESSICA JOHNSON JEREMY THOMAS Director of Cardinal Academy/Assistant Head Principal, Eudora Middle School Principal jeremythomas@eudoraschools.org jessicajohnson@eudoraschools.org
Monica SHANDA HURLA CHUCK Dittmer JAMES Eudora Foundation Eudora Schools Foundation Executive Executive Director Director DirectorSchools of Facilities shandahurla@eudoraschools.org monicadittmer@eudoraschools.org chuckjames@eudoraschools.org
TY PATTISON JEREMY THOMAS Assistant Principal and Middle Activities Director, Head Principal, Eudora School Eudora Middle School jeremythomas@eudoraschools.org typattison@eudoraschools.org
RON LONG CHUCK JAMES Technology Director Director of Facilities ronlong@eudoraschools.org chuckjames@eudoraschools.org
TY PATTISON SETH HEIDE Assistant Principal and Activities Director, Head Principal, Eudora Elementary School Eudora Middle School sethheide@eudoraschools.org typattison@eudoraschools.org
RON LONG NICOLE PARKS Technology DirectorDirector Food and Nutrition ronlong@eudoraschools.org nicoleparks@eudoraschools.org
SETH JAMIEHEIDE GRADO Head Principal, Eudora Elementary School Assistant Principal, Eudora Elementary School sethheide@eudoraschools.org jamiegrado@eudoraschools.org
NICOLE SHAABAN PARKS YEMEN Food School and Nutrition Director After Program Director nicoleparks@eudoraschools.org yemenshaaban@eudoraschools.org
JAMIE SARAHGRADO MILLER Assistant Assistant Principal, Principal, Eudora Eudora Elementary Elementary School School jamiegrado@eudoraschools.org saramiller@eudoraschools.org
YEMEN SHAABAN AMY SHANKS After School Program Director Human Resources Director yemenshaaban@eudoraschools.org amyshanks@eudoraschools.org
KRISTEN LEWIS SARAH MILLER Early Learning Center Director Assistant Principal, Eudora Elementary School kristenlewis@eudoraschools.org saramiller@eudoraschools.org
AMY SHANKS STEPHENIE SUDDUTH AMANDA BRUNKOW Human Resources Director District Resources Nurse Human Director amyshanks@eudoraschools.org stepheniesudduth@eudoraschools.org amandabrunkow@eudoraschools.org
KRISTEN LEWIS AMY O’HARE Early Learning Center Director District Nurse kristenlewis@eudoraschools.org amyohare@eudoraschools.org
STEPHENIE SUDDUTH District Nurse stepheniesudduth@eudoraschools.org
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Eudora Schools is Seeking Substitute Teachers
Directory of Schools Eudora Early Learning Center 1310 Winchester Rd. 785-542-4920 elc.eudoraschools.org Eudora Elementary School 801 E. 10th St. 785-542-4910 ees.eudoraschools.org Eudora Middle School 2635 Church St. 585-542-4960 ems.eudoraschools.org
Eudora Schools and Morgan Hunter are partnering in substitute staffing. Substitute teaching in the Eudora School District is an excellent opportunity for parents, retirees, college students, or anyone who loves working with children!
Eudora High School 2203 Church St. 785-542-4980 ehs.eudoraschools.org
Substitute teaching is flexible and is a great way to give back to the community while making a nice income. For this school year, the minimum requirement to substitute teach is a high school diploma and a clean criminal background check.
Eudora Schools Virtual Learning 785-542-4989 esvl.eudoraschools.org
Please contact Morgan Hunter Education at
866-923-6433
Eudora Unified School District No. 491 1310 Winchester Rd. P.O. Box 500 Eudora, KS 66025
or visit their website https://morganhuntereducation.com/ substitute-teacher-jobs/requirements/ for additional information.
785-542-4910
On eudoraschools.org
• District Calendar • PowerSchool Portal • e-Funds Portal • School & Lunch Menus • Shuttle Information
Eudora School Newsletter is a quarterly magazine which includes content provided by the Eudora Schools communication department and is produced by the Lawrence Journal-World. To advertise in this magazine, contact advertising@ljworld.com.
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20 Years Later, Still Dreaming Big This year, the Eudora Schools Foundation has spent a lot of time looking back. We’ve revisited old photos, remembered milestone moments, celebrated the people who helped build the Foundation, and reflected on just how much can happen when a community believes in its schools. In August, we capped off our 20th birthday celebration with a community party at Z&M Twisted Vines…a chance to simply come together, celebrate and say thank you. Because there is a lot to celebrate. What began in 2006 with a vision to provide Eudora educators and students opportunities beyond what traditional school funding could provide has grown into more than $1.2 million invested in Eudora Schools. Along the way, ESF has supported more than 250 innovative classroom grants, scholarships, mentoring, enrichment programs, career exploration, student and family assistance, teacher recognition and so much more. Those numbers tell part of the story. But the real impact is found in the experiences behind them: a teacher trying an idea that once seemed out of reach, a student discovering a career they had never considered, a middle schooler finding a place to belong, or a family receiving
support when they need it most. And while our 20th birthday has given us plenty of reasons to look back, we think the best way to honor the last two decades is to keep looking forward. As we finish our anniversary year, ESF is preparing for what we anticipate will be the largest grant pool in Foundation history, putting even more resources into the hands of Eudora educators to bring innovative ideas to life for their students. In many ways, that brings us right back to where we started. One of ESF’s
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earliest grants may have been only around $200, but the idea behind it was much bigger: give educators the opportunity to dream, create and make learning better for students. Twenty years later, that hasn’t changed. To everyone who has donated, volunteered, partnered with us, attended an event, served on our board, supported an educator or simply believed in the work, thank you for making these first 20 years possible. Here’s to the next 20. We’re still dreaming big.
Made with Care: Mealtime at the ELC
Every school day at the Eudora Early Learning Center, Food and Nutrition Services Manager Lori Briggs is busy making sure students have nutritious meals—and a little extra reason to smile. Lori has been part of Eudora Schools for nearly eight years, and this year marks her third year at the ELC. During her time with the district, she has worked in three of the four school buildings. Today, she and her team prepare and serve approximately 200 meals each day between breakfast and lunch, making their work an important part of keeping students fueled, focused and ready to learn. For Lori, serving meals is about more than what goes on the tray. She finds small ways to make mealtime special for ELC students, including transforming a favorite— grilled cheese—into something a little more exciting. Using different cutters, Lori cuts the grilled cheese sandwiches into shapes like hearts, stars, dinosaurs and butterflies. It’s a simple touch, but one that quickly catches the attention of ELC students. And the kids love it. Those small details reflect the care Lori brings to her work each day. For young students, breakfast and lunch are opportunities to build routines, try different foods, connect with
others and develop healthy habits. Having a familiar, caring face there to greet and serve them helps make
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those daily experiences even more meaningful. Behind every meal is also plenty of work that students may not see— from preparing and cooking food to plating meals, serving students and cleaning up before doing it all again. Whether she’s preparing hundreds of meals or cutting a grilled cheese sandwich into a dinosaur, Lori helps make mealtime at the ELC something students can look forward to. Her work is another example of the many people across Eudora Schools who play an important role in caring for students and helping them have a great day at school.
Learning Beyond the Classroom At Eudora Elementary School, learning doesn’t stop when students leave their homeroom classroom. Throughout the week, Cardinals have opportunities to explore art, technology, music, physical education, library skills and other subjects that encourage them to create, move, discover and try something new. These “specials” give students a chance to experience different ways of learning while developing skills, interests and confidence that can stay with them long after they leave elementary school.These experiences are an important part of a wellrounded education, helping students discover strengths they may not have known they had and explore opportunities beyond traditional reading and math instruction. Art: Katie Eckelberry In the art room, students are encouraged to experiment, express themselves and discover that sometimes the most meaningful part of creating something is the process itself. Q: What are students learning now or this quarter? “Our first few projects include graffiti name tags, trading cards which is a fan favorite, Eudora Fire Dept. Poster Contest, and rocks for our art rockery. Soon, we will celebrate Dot Day by reading the book and making
“dot” inspired art. In October, it’ll be focused on Inktober and fifth-grade Dia de los Muertos sugar skulls!” Q: Why do you think specials are an important part of the elementary school experience? “It’s a place where young kids can experiment, feel success with their own uniqueness, and where some students have their first and/or only experience with pride at school. I know that was the case for me in early elementary school as a student with a learning disability. I tell students at the start of every year that it’s not about
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being the most skilled painter but instead about improving their skills at creative problem solving. Students are encouraged to take risks, try new things and not be afraid of failure. If something doesn’t go as planned it’s simply an opportunity to solve another problem, to build grit! For Mrs. Eckleberry, art is about more than creating something that looks good. It gives students an opportunity to experiment, make decisions and express themselves in their own way. Continued to page 9
Learning Continued from page 8
“I love teaching this class for the same reason it is so vital to the elementary school experience. I love being a guide to students to learn to express and accept themselves. I know my strongest skill as a teacher is creating an inviting space. I have always had so many kids who tell me just how much they love art. It is not just the fact they get to work with their hands, take a break from screens, and get messy! It’s also the feeling in the room. I don’t think you can have one without the other and building that space and bond with kids is my favorite part. And the clay, of course. Who doesn’t love playing in the mud!” Computers: Ashli Olivera In the computer classroom, students are developing the digital skills they need to navigate an increasingly connected world. During the first semester, students are focusing on digital citizenship and internet safety while exploring technology through hands-on projects tailored to each grade level. Fifth graders are creating stop-motion animations, fourth graders are designing Google Slides animations, and third graders are making internet safety posters. Students in
kindergarten through second grade are also participating in a variety of technology-based activities. Q: Why do you love teaching this class? “I love to teach technology because I know it is something that will benefit all students as they are going through school and life. We live in such a digital age now and it is so important for students to have an understanding and awareness of what it means to be safe on the
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internet, and how to interact with others through digital media. We teach many important technology skills such as typing, coding, and how to use the different tools in google docs, slides, and sheets. Problemsolving and working cooperatively with others are also important skills that we work on when we are doing our Lego Stem kits, coding with our robots, and various projects throughout the year. All of these things, all of these skills, benefit them as they are growing up.”She also sees specials as an opportunity for students to discover their strengths outside the traditional classroom setting. “It broadens their horizons and may spark an interest in something that they may not have a chance to experience otherwise” said Olivera. At Eudora Elementary School, specials are more than a break from the regular classroom routine. They are an opportunity for students to explore new interests, build practical skills, express themselves and discover new ways to learn. At EES, every day is an opportunity to learn something new—and sometimes, that learning begins with trying something for the very first time.
Finding Your Place Through Clubs at EMS Middle school is a time of discovery. Students are figuring out what they enjoy, where they feel comfortable, who they connect with and what they might want to explore in the future. At Eudora Middle School, that discovery doesn’t only happen in the classroom. Through a variety of enrichment clubs and activities, students have opportunities to explore interests, try something new and connect with others who share their passions. These experiences can play an important role in creating a culture of belonging, giving students a place where they can feel connected, supported and part of something bigger than themselves. Whatever a student is interested in, there is something out there waiting to be discovered. Let’s Highlight the Athletic Leadership Club Led by Kyla Garvin, the Athletic Leadership Club gives student-athletes an opportunity to meet in the morning to talk about leadership skills in athletics and the mental side of sports. Through conversations with coaches and athletes, students learn what it takes to be successful in high school athletics and how they can become leaders at a young age. The goal is to prepare and encourage them to step into leadership roles on their teams, regardless of their skill level. During the club’s first meeting, Garvin
shared her own story and experiences as a student-athlete, helping students reflect on their own strengths and goals. Students then paired up to discuss questions such as: What are you good at? What can you improve? What makes you a good teammate? What are your goals? and What sport are you interested in? The conversations encouraged students to think about who they are as athletes and leaders while building connections with their peers. Q: What do you hope students take away from participating in the club? “My hope is that students will gain an understanding of how to compete in sports and be the best athlete they can be. By building leadership skills and
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mental training, they will be prepared for the challenges and excitement of school athletics,” said Garvin. Q: Why do you think it’s important to have a variety of club options available to students? “I think it is important for students to have opportunities to discover their interests and find things that they are excited about. Middle school can be challenging when it comes to finding your groove and people like you. These clubs bring students together and connect them in different ways!” While each club at EMS may look different, they all offer students something beyond another activity to add to their schedule. They offer a place to belong. For some students, that might mean finding friends who share their interests. For others, it might mean stepping outside their comfort zone, discovering a new talent or building confidence. It might even be the first time a student realizes, “This is something I’m really good at,” or “These are people I enjoy being around.” That sense of connection matters. A strong school community is built not only through what happens in the classroom, but also through the relationships and experiences students share throughout their school day. At EMS, enrichment clubs give students another way to explore, connect and belong. And sometimes, finding your place at school starts with simply finding something you enjoy.
Cardinal Relations at EHS:
Telling the Stories of Eudora Schools
What if someone who had never been to Eudora only knew the district through its social media? What would they think Eudora Schools is like? That’s the question Nate Robinson is asking his students this year as he leads a new video production class at Eudora High School: Cardinal Relations. Cardinal Relations gives 11thand 12th-grade students who have completed Video 1 an opportunity to continue developing their production skills while taking on a new storytelling focus. While Cardinal Productions—EHS’s other video production course—now has a focus on sports and entertainment, Cardinal
@cardinalrelations
Relations is focused on something a little different: showcasing the good things happening throughout Eudora Schools. That question is serving as a starting point for Robinson and his students as they work to discover what stories are worth telling and how they can best tell them. Robinson has spent several years teaching video courses and knows that developing a strong production program takes time. So far, the class has recorded videos in classrooms and throughout the buildings during the first two weeks of school, launched the 100 Feet series, in which students interview USD 491 principals and the superintendent, explored Hidden Stories, and highlighted an enrichment club at EMS. Students are learning how to look at their own school community through a storyteller’s lens. What is happening that people should know about? What makes Eudora Schools unique? And perhaps most importantly: How do you tell that story in a way that makes someone else want to be part of it? As the first semester of Cardinal Relations unfolds, the class will
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continue to take shape. But the purpose is already clear: tell the stories that show what Eudora Schools is all about. From classrooms and clubs to student achievements, staff members, activities and the everyday moments that might otherwise go unnoticed. And perhaps, by the end of the year, they’ll have an answer to the question they started with: If someone outside Eudora only saw what’s on our social media, what would they think Eudora Schools is like? Through Cardinal Relations, students are helping make sure the answer reflects the people, experiences and moments that make Eudora Schools #EudoraProud.
@cardinalrelations
Excellence in Eudora Early Learning Center
Singing Sarah Each Monday and Thursday, Singing Sarah brings the joy of music to our Early Learning Center. Now in her third year as the ELC’s music specialist, Sarah gives students opportunities to sing, move and experience music together. “Singing Sarah pours her love of music into the children at the ELC. She’s awesome!” — Val Lamont, ELC Teacher We appreciate the time and enthusiasm Singing Sarah shares with our youngest Cardinals each week!
Eudora Schools Foundation
On October 2, 2026, the Eudora Schools Foundation had an exhilarating day as they distributed classroom grants! This year, 29 grants totaling more than $46,000 were awarded! We can’t wait to see the incredible impact they’ll make in our classrooms!
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Excellence in Eudora Elementary Jogathon In September, EES Cardinals brought their best energy to the annual Jogathon! From start to finish, students showed off their school spirit, determination, and plenty of smiles. Thank you to everyone who helped make this a fun and memorable day! #EudoraProud
Youth Cheer Clinic The Eudora High School Cheer Team hosted a 2-day cheer clinic for youth cheerleaders in kindergarten through 5th grade! Participants had the opportunity to learn cheers and routines from the EHS Cheer Team and prepare for their halftime performance at the Friday, September 18, home football game.
Middle School At Eudora Middle School, students are getting the chance to learn a new skill through the Beginner Guitar Enrichment Club, led by Mr. Ryan Jacobs. Students learn the basics of guitar through hands-on practice, fun games and group jam sessions. Opportunities like this give our students a chance to try something new, have fun and build their skills! Thank you to the Eudora Schools Foundation for supporting the many enrichment opportunities available to our students!
In September, Eudora Middle School eighth graders had the opportunity to experience Reality U, an interactive financial simulation that gives students a glimpse into real-world financial decision-making. Students navigated a variety of scenarios involving careers, housing, transportation, family expenses and other everyday costs. The experience encouraged students to think critically about budgeting, financial priorities and the choices that can impact their future.
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Excellence in Eudora High School
Eudora High School and the Eudora Schools Foundation have partnered to expand career exploration opportunities through the Career Lunch & Learn series. These sessions give students the opportunity to explore different career paths and hear firsthand experiences from professionals. We’re still looking for a few more volunteers in specific career areas for the 2026–2027 school year! Interested in sharing your experience and helping inspire the next generation? Sign up!
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